6.16.2012

Blissful Oblivion at Angeles City Flying Club

I was 900 feet above the ground, clasping nervously on the ultralight metal stilts and savoring the cool air slapping on my face and body. Yes, I was atop the ground... flying... soaring higher and higher... gliding above the golden fields, houses and mango trees looking like a bonsai from afar.

With an ultralight plane piloted by Art Azcuna, I too experienced such adventure which most will salivate and desire to explore enviably.

My friends who are all wheelchair-bound and I excitedly planned this trip. Aside from our excitement and eagerness to ride and enjoy this hobby of our friend, we all managed to have a barbecue party complete with the swarm of flies from a poultry nearby and everything still tasted so good! From time immemorial, Art was engrossed with extreme sports like the most recent, being a 4x4 enthusiast irrespective of his injury. When he was still able-bodied, he was engaged in motocross, hunting and jet-skiing.

Liza, Joon, Doc Jun and Jericho, together with Yahoo (Liza's daughter) and the many personal assistants (PAs) enjoyed this wonderful and peculiar experience. The sun was extremely at it's peak while beads of perspiration continued to trickle on our faces. Our spirits were never daunted though it started to drizzle later on in the afternoon. However, the feeling of being on top of everything though brief is simply liberating despite our inability to walk. We flew... releasing our thoughts from our worries, escaping momentarily from the reality, oblivious to our physical limitations and enjoying the flying moment at the Angeles City Flying Club in Pampanga!

Postscript:

We used to be able-bodied once in our lives. We use the wheelchair full time due to spinal cord injury caused by either vehicular accident, gunshot, and swimming pool accident.

Oh my, what an incredible experience. So glad you posted about it. I've often wondered if I would enjoy doing this. Looks like you had a lot of fun. Looks like an amazing group of friends!! Nice looking group!

when i read the first part, i was thinking how brave you are, since i would not fly in this thing, but by the time i got to the end of your wonderful and heart touching story, I know why you did it. I did not realize you are in a wheel chair, is that you in the orange shirt? what a wonderful way to become free in the air. i am so happy for you that you had this opportunity with your friends, even the flies with the good food. that is what happens here when we eat outside, bugs come flying to torment us. great post Farida

First of all thank you so much for your always lovely comments on my blog! Glad to have you stop by and visit. This post was amazing and so uplifting. How wonderful to have such an experience with your friends. I could feel your happiness and joy!!

You're ohh so right! I so envy you right now! I really wanna try that, but I don't know, I'm a bit scared, plus is so expensive as well.. I've already tried parasailing and this is next to my list.. =) You're all so brave!

About

Farida daylights as an ESL tutor and moonlights as a web content writer. She is a doting aunt, a child of God and a paraplegia. This niche is her "happy bubble" and the venue for her creative outlet. Journey with her as she explores the beauty and grandeur of life beyond her picket fence!